# OCR PDF for journalists

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/for/journalists/ocr-pdf_

Arthize lets journalists and newsrooms OCR a scanned PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert.

## Why journalists OCR a scanned PDF

A journalist OCRs a scanned document dump so it's searchable, extracts key tables into a spreadsheet, and redacts a source's identifying details plus metadata before publishing.

**Built for FOIA releases.** Whether it's FOIA releases, leaked documents, reports, Arthize's ocr pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Source protection is paramount; documents must be handled privately and metadata stripped before publishing.

## What matters when you OCR a scanned PDF

OCR adds an invisible, selectable text layer over the scanned image.

Without OCR, a scanned PDF is just a picture and can't be searched.

Running OCR first is what makes a scan convert cleanly to Word or Excel.

## How to OCR a scanned PDF

1. **Open the OCR tool** — Sign in and open the OCR tool.
2. **Add your scan** — Upload the scanned or image-only PDF.
3. **Run OCR** — Arthize recognises the text and adds it as an invisible, selectable layer.
4. **Download** — Get a searchable PDF whose text you can copy and convert.

## FAQ

### How do journalists OCR a scanned PDF for free?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why journalists and newsrooms can use it for FOIA releases without a confidentiality risk.

### Is it private to OCR a scanned PDF sensitive FOIA releases?

Yes. Source protection is paramount; documents must be handled privately and metadata stripped before publishing. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.

### How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### What is OCR and why does my scan need it?

OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.